Emotional intelligence involves recognizing and using one's own emotions well, and recognizing and working well with, or even influencing, the emotions of others. No one achieves emotional intelligence once and for all. Increasing emotional intelligence (EQ) is an ongoing process, and one's capacity can shift because of many factors such as levels of stress, the experience with similar situations or how well-rested the person is. Given that teaching is cited over and over as one of the most stressful professions out there, understanding the relationship between stress and an educator's ability to employ emotional intelligence as they strive for effective, equitable, and compassionate discipline is crucial. This article describes how educators can lead their classrooms more effectively and equitably by practicing good emotional intelligence skills.